Mid-summer update 2024

The dog days of summer are upon us, and while Olympic swimmers are making waves in Paris, the pool chemistry world continues to evolve with new technologies, challenges, and opportunities. In a candid mid-summer update, Rule Your Pool podcast host Eric Knight pulled back the curtain on both triumphs and tribulations in the aquatics industry, offering listeners a refreshingly honest look at where things stand in 2024.

When Technology Meets Olympic Dreams (and Disappointments)

Sometimes the most memorable podcast episodes are the ones that never make it to air. Knight opened his 150th episode with a tale that many content creators will find painfully familiar – technical difficulties that cost him what could have been a landmark interview.

I actually interviewed an Olympic swimmer and a very popular podcast host last week. He's got the most popular swimming podcast in the world. It was a real honor to have him on. His name's Brett Hawk. He's an Australian Olympian and we did this Olympic preview show and I thought things were going fine. But as is my luck, I'm learning after the rowdy games. Episode. It wasn't my microphone that failed. It was his.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

The lost interview with Brett Hawke, an Australian Olympian and coach, would have provided invaluable insights into competitive swimming at the highest level. Despite the technical setback, Knight revealed that Hawke's predictions about standout swimmers like Summer McIntosh and Leon Marchand were proving remarkably accurate as the Olympics unfolded.

But perhaps more intriguing was Knight's professional eye catching something that many casual viewers might miss – the water quality at the Olympic pool itself. As someone deeply entrenched in the pool chemistry business, his observation was both amusing and concerning.

One thing I will say that stuns me is I'm watching it on TV and the pool is really cloudy. Hey, Olympic committee, we can help you. It doesn't have to be that cloudy. It's the Olympics.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

Lamotte Integration: Progress, Challenges, and Learning Curves

Technology integration in the pool industry is never as straightforward as it appears on paper, and Knight's update on the Lamotte integration perfectly illustrates this reality. What started as a successful integration with the 203 series spin touch discs quickly became more complex when the team discovered the existence of other disc types.

The 601 series disc presents both opportunities and challenges. With its ability to test three different pools using the same disc – measuring pH, total alkalinity, and free chlorine – it offers significant cost savings for pool professionals managing multiple properties. However, its three-section design doesn't align with how Orenda built their integration around the 203 series.

We had to fly our developer from overseas to build the last integration. It's Bluetooth. You have to be able to test it with the machine. And we're trying our best to make this work remotely. I just got the discs over the weekend.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

This behind-the-scenes glimpse reveals the complexity and cost involved in creating seamless technology solutions for the pool industry. It's a reminder that innovation requires significant investment in both time and resources, often with challenges that only become apparent during real-world implementation.

The Login Labyrinth: When Simple Isn't So Simple

Perhaps nothing frustrates users more than authentication issues, and Knight's transparency about the app login problems demonstrates Orenda's commitment to honest communication, even when the news isn't great. What was supposed to be a unified login system connecting the app with Orenda Academy has proven more challenging than anticipated.

The login issue has had a cascading effect on development priorities. Rather than pushing forward with phases two and three of planned app updates, the team has made the strategic decision to pause additional features until they can resolve the fundamental user experience problems.

And as a result of that, just being transparent because that's what we do, I have paused development of phases two and three of this app update that we're talking about. Yes, they're still on the radar. We still want to do them. But I can't do them until we have this right.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

This approach �� prioritizing core functionality over new features – reflects mature product development thinking. It's better to have a solid foundation than to build impressive features on unstable ground.

User Experience Evolution: Dials vs. Type-In Values

One of the most interesting developments mentioned in the update is Orenda's consideration of offering an alternative input method for their app. Currently, users input values using dial interfaces, but customer feedback has prompted the team to explore a type-in option for those who prefer more precision in their data entry.

This highlights a fundamental tension in user interface design: the balance between elegant simplicity and functional precision. While Knight acknowledges that typing values is "a worse user experience in most cases," he recognizes that different users have different preferences and needs.

For pool professionals who need to input precise measurements quickly, especially when managing multiple properties, the ability to type values could significantly improve workflow efficiency. This potential feature represents Orenda's responsiveness to user feedback and willingness to accommodate different working styles.

Education and Certification: Raising Industry Standards

Beyond technology updates, Knight revealed an exciting development in professional education: the creation of the first-ever chemistry certification course for Watershape University. This eight-hour course represents a significant investment in industry education and professional development.

The course will debut at several major industry events, including the international show, Northeast Pool and Spa Show, and Western Show. This multi-venue approach ensures broader accessibility for professionals across different regions.

The development of formal certification programs signals the pool industry's maturation and recognition that proper chemical management requires systematic education rather than trial-and-error learning. For an industry that directly impacts public health and safety, standardized education becomes increasingly important.

The Value of Transparency in Business Communication

What makes this midsummer update particularly valuable isn't just the information it contains, but how it's delivered. Knight's willingness to discuss failures alongside successes, to admit when he doesn't know something, and to share the real costs and challenges of innovation creates trust with his audience.

This transparency extends to acknowledging customer feedback and explaining why certain decisions were made. Rather than making excuses, Knight provides context that helps users understand the complexity behind seemingly simple requests.

As long as it's constructive and you have a good case for it, we'll try to make something work.

— Eric Knight, Rule Your Pool Podcast

This approach to customer communication sets a standard for how companies in technical industries can maintain relationships during challenging periods. By treating customers as partners rather than just consumers, Orenda builds loyalty even when deliverables are delayed.

Looking Forward: Patience, Progress, and Persistence

The overarching theme of this midsummer update is that meaningful progress takes time, especially when working with complex technical integrations and user experience challenges. Knight's request for patience isn't just about buying time – it's about ensuring that when solutions are delivered, they work properly and provide real value.

The pool industry is undergoing significant technological transformation, with companies like Orenda at the forefront of integrating chemistry management with digital tools. These growing pains are natural parts of an industry evolution that will ultimately benefit pool professionals and, by extension, pool users everywhere.

As we head into the latter half of summer 2024, the pool industry continues to balance innovation with reliability, customer demands with technical constraints, and ambitious goals with practical limitations. Knight's honest assessment provides valuable perspective for anyone involved in pool management or considering technology investments for their operations.

The promise of cleaner, more efficiently managed pools remains strong, even if the path to get there includes a few unexpected detours. After all, in both Olympic swimming and pool chemistry, excellence requires persistence, patience, and the willingness to learn from every challenge along the way.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Olympic Interview Mishap
• 03:30 Olympic Pool Water Quality Observations
• 05:15 Lamotte Integration Update - 203 vs 601 Series
• 08:45 App Login Issues and Development Delays
• 12:20 User Interface Considerations - Dials vs Type-In
• 14:10 Watershape University Chemistry Certification Course
• 16:00 Closing Remarks and Customer Feedback